A REVOLUTIONARY curriculum for high school pupils in Mid Cheshire has been unveiled.
From September, pupils at Woodford Lodge and Verdin high schools in Winsford will be able to take vocational courses alongside traditional GCSEs.
A range of Business Training and Education Council (BTEC) courses will be provided in association with Mid-Cheshire College. It will act as a precursor to the Winsford Learning Zone initiative due to be launched in 2007. This will see the three educational establishments team together in new state-of-the-art surroundings.
The scheme has been unveiled ahead of a presentation evening called Pathways to Success which will help pupils and parents make informed choices on their future areas of study. In the past, pupils have attended options evenings to decide the subjects they want to take in their crucial Year 10 and Year 11.
Pupils can now choose to study for BTEC First certificates, equivalent to the workload of two GCSEs, in Dance, Media Studies and Countryside and the Environment.
Pupils selecting BTEC courses would be able to opt-out of non-compulsory GCSE subjects up to the same 'value' as their course. Students wishing to study an Engineering or Construction BTEC Diploma can do instead of four optional GCSEs.
GCSEs in core subjects of Maths, English, Science, Information and Communications Technology (ICT), Religious Education and Physical Education would remain compulsory for all students. Classes in Personal, Health and Social Education will also remain compulsory. Foreign languages would be optional for some students but all pupils would still have to chose a Technology option except those completing the BTEC Diploma.
Subjects will be based at either of the two Winsford schools with a visiting lecturer from Mid-Cheshire College taking the classes. Alternatively, pupils could be transported from Winsford to Mid-Cheshire College in Hartford for lessons. Specifics will be ironed out when pupil numbers and timetables are confirmed.
Verdin High School deputy headteacher Martin Howlett said: 'It's such an interesting and exciting time for us. It's innovative for us, Woodford Lodge and Mid-Cheshire College. Some of the GCSE subjects are now 60% coursework and some students can't keep up with large periods of assessment. The BTEC courses offer unit approaches and shorter periods of coursework.'
Woodford Lodge headteacher Steve Meeks added: 'It's revolutionary. We are working together and with the college which makes us stronger.'
Woodford Lodge and Verdin High Schools have operated a joint sixth form since 1981.
